2018 In Review: Author Visits and Book Launched at the MIBF 2018

2018 was also a productive year for me as an author. I was invited to do author talks and visited two schools of different backgrounds and grade levels.

In November, I had an Author Visit in Domuschola International School for their Middle Years and Diploma Program students. I was surprised that my book, A Tale of Two Dreams (Lampara) was chosen as a reading material in the Filipino A class. Meeting a former student from Xavier School was another pleasant surprise. The following month, I gave an Author Visit at Gan Etz Ha Haim where I told stories and read aloud my K-3 books to their preschoolers. One of the highlights of the visit for me was seeing the synagogue of the Jewish community, the only one in Metro in Manila.

In the middle of 2018, the article I wrote for Book Watch, the official magazine of the National Book Development Board saw publication. My writing featured the growing reading organisations in the regions as well as storytelling groups outside Metro Manila. To date, one of the featured groups, the Pilar Reading Center in Masbate has been recognised by Malacanang as a literacy advocacy group run by a public school teacher with support from the DepEd and Local Government Unit.

Lastly, as it is my goal every year, I have a book launched at the Manila International Book Fair. Read the back story of  Ino the Invincible and highlights of the launching at the MIBF.

So, as I bid thee goodbye to 2018, I look forward to a fruitful and productive 2019!

My 2018 Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) Kilig Moments

Making this list and checking it twice! 

1. The MIBF is always a happy reunion with friends in the book industry.

2. A book signing session can be a kikay moment. I was seated with Beth Parrocha during the book signing event at Lampara Books. She is frank and honest and I love her for it! 

Here’s how one of our conversations went:

Beth: I like the curve of your eyeliner. 

Me: Thanks! Took me a year to master this curve. 

Beth: Ah, yes! Such things take time to master.

Spoken by a true artist!

3. I got to chat with readers young was and old. Adults who read Children’s Literatire are full of grace. Kids who read Children’s literature are full of hope. Parents and teachers who buy them for their kids and students are doing the right thing in heping them love reading.

4. An honest to goodness kilig moment is when my books were chosen as storytelling pieces for the Lampara Storytelling Contest.

5. Honored and humbled to sign my books bought by librarian, writer and illustrator friends.

6. Always a happy feeling when I meet librarians and teachers who have all attended my past and previous workshops and we greet each other like old friends. #wearefamily

So, on to MIBF 2019!